Apple Watch apps: the basics and more

Just days from its official launch, the number of apps compatible with the Apple Watch continues to grow: the list includes preinstalled programs and staples (social networks, reservation services), but also a few surprises.

A-customer-plays-with-a-new-Apple-Watch-in-an-Apple-store-in-Sydney-Photo-AFP

Just days from its official launch, the number of apps compatible with the Apple Watch continues to grow: the list includes preinstalled programs and staples (social networks, reservation services), but also a few surprises.

Just like the iPhone and iPad, the Apple Watch comes pre-installed with all your basic apps. These include the essentials, such as Phone, Messages, Mail, Siri and Maps, but also Photos, Music, Weather, Stocks, Passbook, Remote and Camera Remote, which allows you to take photos with your iPhone. In addition, two apps will be even more firmly geared towards health: Workout, a fitness tracker, and Activity, a basic daily activity tracker. Obviously, the watch also includes world clock, alarm, timer and stopwatch functions.

The iPhone's most popular apps also already have their Apple Watch versions ready to go. This is the case for Twitter, Instagram, Evernote, Wunderlist, TripAdvisor and Shazam.

News, e-commerce and sports

Among the first apps to be finalized and approved by Apple are Transit App and Citymapper (public transport), News Republic and Flipboard (news aggregators), Nike+ Running (running), Strava (cycling tracker), Runtastic Six Pack (personal trainer), Onefootball (sports scores), Sky Guide (astronomy), Kitchen Stories Cookbook (recipes), Babbel (language instructor) and AMPLIFiRemote (guitar tuner). Brands are also getting in on the action, whether for airline reservations (Air France, British Airways, EasyJet), train tickets (thetrainline), car services (Uber) or hotel rooms (Hotels.com). Others are imminent, most notably Facebook.

There are also a few very specific apps worth mentioning, notably BMW iRemote, which allows you to see if your doors are locked, view service reminders and see how far along a charge is on an electric BMWi. As an added bonus, you can also remotely adjust your cabin temperature.

The Apple Watch is available for pre-order. The first generation of the Apple Watch is available in three models: Apple Watch Sport, from $349 to $399, the 'classic' Apple Watch, from $549 to $1,100 and Apple Watch Edition, from $10,000 to $17,000. The Edition model has an 18-karat gold body with sapphire crystal and ceramic back.